2022 HAB Taxonomy Course

Background

Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) have large negative impacts on human and environmental health and result in significant economic damage and are thus monitored and managed by local, state and federal agencies.  Regardless of the monitoring agency all have a common need for accurate and timely identification of HAB related organisms to the species level. 

The classic ‘gold-standard’ method of HAB detection is microscopic examination for HA species based on morphological characters.  However,the rapidly expanding HAB taxonomy field, retirement of many ‘classical’ taxonomists, lack of dedicated U. S. HAB taxonomic teaching programs, and increased use more rapid non-traditional (i.e. optical, molecular and hybrid) methods of HAB identification all have contributed to an increasing need for comprehensive training in HAB identification for U.S. HAB managers, scientists and technicians.

In 2015, NOAA’s MERHAB (Monitoring and Event Response of Harmful Algal Blooms) Program funded ‘MERHAB: Training Course on the Identification of Harmful Algae in United States Marine Waters’.  With the goal of developing and teaching a certified, recurring, classical HA taxonomy and identification course, the course will provide the theoretical and hands-on training needed to effectively and accurately identify HAB Species.  The course will draw upon the recognized scientific and teaching expertise of the established taxonomists involved (Drs. Villac, Parsons and Probert as instructors and Drs. Steidinger, Tomas, Horner as advisors) and combine this expertise with culture availability and support though NCMA, Bigelow Laboratory’s experience in hosting phytoplankton related courses and Bigelow Laboratory’s new state-of-the-art Ocean and Education campus in East Boothbay, Maine.

Who should apply:

The course will first be open to local, state and federal government workers involved in all aspects of HAB management and research, then graduate students and others involved in HAB research.  The course student number is capped at 18. 

The Application Process:

Students interested in applying should complete an application form and submit by the deadline.  Students will be notified of their status per the time table on the application.

Course Instructors:

Dr. Celia Villac, Research Scientist, Harmful Algal Group, Fish and Wildlife Research Institute

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Dr. Ian Probert, Roscoff Culture Collection Manager, Marine Biological Resource Centre, Roscoff Biological Station

Ms. Carol White, C.A. White & Associates, LLC

Dr. Michael Parsons, Florida Gulf Coast University

Dr. Mike Lomas, Director NCMA, Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences

Course Content:

The program will consist of pre-course web preparatory modules and a 10 day course in which classic HA identification will be taught, including the Bacillariophyceae, Dinophyceae, Prymnesiophyceae, Raphidophyceae, and Dictyochophyceae, collection techniques, statistical considerations and several specialized lectures on newer HAB identification and quantification methodologies. Course content will consist of training material handouts, lectures, hands on demonstrations with live and preserved species and demonstrations of methods for collection, treatment of samples, enumeration and culturing techniques. Many HA species are either in the Provasoli-Guillard National Center for Marine Algae and Microbiota or available from the instructors. Over 60 HAB species will be demonstrated with many morphologically similar species for comparison and differentiation.  HA species will include only those found in US waters, with a shifting annual focus between the 3 NOAA HAB regions. Certificates of proficiency will be provided for successful completion of the course and final examination. Students will be encouraged to continue their learning and ongoing networking between fellow students and instructors facilitated through a course dedicated listserve.